Pseudomonas putida grows on benzylamine as a sole source of carbon/energy and nitrogen. Synthesis of an inducible benzylamine dehydrogenase (BMDH) depends on the specific RNA polymerase sigma factor σ54 and is subject to carbon source-dependent inhibition. The presence of TOL plasmid pWW0 harboring the genetic information for the catabolism of toluene exerts strong inhibition of induction of BMDH activity.